While the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is not new, the application of various types of commercial drones, designed for recreation or other purposes, has successfully demonstrated their dual-use potential. One such example is FPV drones, which, being lower-cost and mass-produced, are increasingly equipped with various types of explosives and used effectively against everything from troops to armored vehicles like MBTs. This trend highlights the importance that both Russian and Ukrainian forces place on developing new counter-drone systems for their armed forces. One such example is the recent equipment unveiled by Ruselectronics for the Russian Ground Forces, designed to address FPV drones.
In recent months and years, Ruselectronics, part of the Rostec industrial consortium, has placed particular emphasis on developing and manufacturing counter-drone systems within the Serp family. An example is the Serp-VS5D system introduced last year, which successfully passed tests and evaluations. However, the ongoing evolution of UAVs necessitates updates to the systems and platforms designed to counter them, ensuring the protection of military units and civilian infrastructure.
Recently, Rostec confirmed that Ruselectronics unveiled its latest drone countermeasure system, the SERP-VS6D, which is presumably an evolution of the previously mentioned system. A notable feature of the announcement on August 7 is its specific mention of countering FPV drone swarms.
In this regard, Ruselectronics stated: “This equipment combines an electronic warfare (EW) complex with a high-precision detector, allowing for the detection of even FPV drones. During testing, the new ‘SERP’ demonstrated high effectiveness both against individual drones and in group drone attacks.”
The statement adds: “The equipment is capable of continuously monitoring the communication and control channels of drones over a 360-degree horizontal sector. In case of detection, the system automatically or manually activates guaranteed suppression of radio signals from targets at distances of up to 5 km. When activated, radio signals are suppressed across all available frequencies, while the suppression function remains deactivated at other times. This mode fully complies with the requirements of the State Radio Frequency Commission, which prohibits the constant use of jamming devices.”
Sergey Skorykh, General Director of the “Vector” Research Institute, noted: “In the context of the Special Military Operation (SMO), dual-use and military technologies are evolving rapidly. The evolution of drones is likely the most notable. Our specialists are doing everything possible to find optimal solutions to current operational tasks as quickly as possible and apply them in practice. It is also very important that the new ‘SERP-VS6D’ has already demonstrated its effectiveness in real operational conditions.”
This statement is significant as it suggests that the new SERP-VS6D system may have been tested in operations or combat environments where FPV drones are a threat, potentially protecting military units or critical infrastructure such as airports or airfields used by Aerospace Forces in the rear, which are targets of Ukrainian drone attacks.
As of now, only the official Rostec statement is available, without confirmation from the Russian Ministry of Defense or Armed Forces. It is clear that the dual-use potential of such drones presents a threat that requires increasingly advanced counter-systems.
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